Most people in the world will never see a whale, yet are fascinated by them, and even knowing nothing about them, are in favour of their conservation. Indeed, for those who have the chance to participate in whale watching tours, it is one of their most cherished memories.
Two distinguished marine biologists have joined forces to produce a compendium of information compressed into 160 pages that will enable you to to go from ignorance to knowledge in one easy read. It is remarkable how much information can be provided in one of these "Little Books" and there is a fairly extensive bibliography for those eager to know more. For even the casual reader, it is possible to go from a warm, fuzzy feeling that cetaceans should be protected, to knowing which species are most threatened and how specifically to intervene on their behalf. The power of an informed citizenry should never be underestimated.
Tugce Okay, in her usual way, embellishes the text with a range of scintillating illustrations.
She has illustrated all but one of the books in this series, ranging from dinosaurs to mushrooms, from spiders to trees - and all done incredibly well. It is a noteworthy achievement to achieve this level of quality over such a diversity of subjects.
Some species of cetaceans have been making a comeback from the brink of extinction in recent years, as international legislation is respected by most nations most of the time, but perils remain. Let us not forget that the Yangtze River Dolphin has been driven to extinction in our lifetime, entirely due to anthropogenic actions.
It has been established that acoustic communication is vital to the lives of whales, with sound travelling over vast distances. Numerous human activities such as drilling and mining, shipping and military exercises all interfere with this essential faculty of cetacean lives. Add to these disturbances increased atmospheric CO2 levels, ocean warming, acidification, bycatch, plastic pollution, diminished marine productivity and you realize quickly that many species are living on the edge.
Young and Berta are impassioned in their pleas for the conservation of these magnificent ancient mammals; we should be too.
If the bell of extinction tolls for them, it tolls for us too.
The Little Book of Whales - Princeton University Press
Robert Young and Annalisa Berta
Hardback - $15.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691260129
160 pages - 3.75 x 6 inches (9.375 x 15 cm)
140 colour illustrations
Publication date: 22 October, 2024
The illustrations looks very nice, David. No, I have never seen a whale, but it had been interesting to see one!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
As you say, I've never seen a whale. I have seen dolphins pass by and it is a fascinating spectacle.
ReplyDeleteIn the Strait of Gibraltar there are many orcas that have had encounters with sailboats. They will be fed up with so much traffic...
Thanks David
We once saw a blue whale, off the coast oh Hatteras. It was stunning! It breached several times near our boat, so close i could look it in the eye. I remember people were freaking out, afraid we would capsize, but I told them if that did happen, what a way to die!
ReplyDeleteThis tiny book series is so cool. They would be great Christmas gifts.
That must have been quite an experience. I have seen many whales of several species, but never so close!
DeleteIt's shameful that "impassioned pleas" are still necessary in 2024; the International Whaling Commission was set up in 1946. Everyone knew that there was a problem before I was born and many nations still can't agree on the best way forward.
ReplyDeleteShameful indeed, John, and very sad.
DeleteI love whales. I’ve seen them from boats and from the shore (that mainly in Hawaii). Once, while snorkeling, I heard them singing. In one location on a bay in Baja California, whales habitually approach little boats — so we saw a baby whale up close — my husband stroked it but I was on the wrong side of the boat. What remarkable creatures! I hope the book encourages protection of whales.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Querido David la Ballenas despiertan pasiones y a todos nos encantaría que su futuro este asegurado. El libro tiene unas ilustraciones preciosas. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteHe podido ver delfines, cuando navegaba por el mar, pero nunca he visto una ballena.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Tal vez algún día.
DeleteI fall under the group of fascinated but have never seen one, at least in the wilds.Here's to conservation.
ReplyDeleteWonderful creatures that are threatened, like so many others, by the actions of humans...
ReplyDeleteSad but true, Dorothy.
DeleteBlue Beauty. Videos of these creatures always bring me a lot of peace. I always end up sighing. One of my biggest dreams is to be able to swim near one of them, just to feel their energy, in my mind it's just fantastic, magical, fabulous!
ReplyDelete💙🐳💙🐳💙
Your invitation is more than tempting, i will keep it in mind for when make my planned trip through Northamerica, and i want those chocolates!
Dear and funny friend, have a beautiful night-
I have only seen dolphins in the zoo...
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a whale either, but I have seen one regularly in a nature documentary on television.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a nice book to me.
Greetings Irma
Good little book it seems, and I've seen many whales.
ReplyDeleteYou are among the exalted then!
DeleteGreat review and book. I have been on a few whale watching trips, I loved seeing the whales, wild and free! Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThat looks great David.
Greetings Tinie
The Humpback Whales come annually to Hawaii, and there are boat tours to see them. However, I never did the tour, because I get seasick. It always makes the news though, and I get to see these whales on Local TV.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one either but they are amazing creatures. Sadly in decline due to us humans.
ReplyDeleteYou’ll have to make it your mission to see a whale, Ananka.
DeleteLooks like an interesting book and collection.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated with whales and always wanted to see one. I got my wish about 5 years ago when visiting good friends in Cape Cod. We took a whale watch and the captain said it was one of the best viewing days he encountered. We must have seen at least 40 whales in the 4 hours and some rather close to our boat. We were thrilled!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and her family did that same excursion from Cape Cod and she was equally thrilled.
DeleteNever seen a whale but had some muktuk when we lived in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteWas it good?
DeleteAny whale image makes me think of muktuk (about an inch each of skin and blubber) of various kinds. It's prepared in different ways, depending on the type of whale--at least among the Inupiat that I knew and worked with. I wasn't really a fan, although 'regular' muktuk didn't have much of a taste. I found black meat (seal) more difficult.
ReplyDeleteWe are not vegetarian, and I doubt that we ever will be, but we eat far less meat than we ever did, and do go vegetarian at least two days per week. There was a time when unfamiliar meat would have had great appeal, but I am past that.
DeleteWhat a lovely book in this series. I have had the pleasure of seeing whales. It's an experience one never forgets. Seeing a humpback whale cruising along the ocean front in winter is quite a spectacle indeed. Sadly the first time we went to Alaska it seemed like whales were everywhere. Going again ten years later we only viewed a couple. Gray whales migrating along the Pacific during migration is an image I'll always cherish.
ReplyDeleteWhales are creatures you don’t easily forget.
DeleteRight up my alley!!! Anything water related..I have seen several whales..footprints and breaching..Some of my most cherished experiences..When I was young, I wanted to grow up to work with Jacques Cousteau...I couldn't get enough of his experiences.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful series of little books..xxoo
Happy memories, Missy.
DeleteDefinitely !!
DeleteThis book looks great. And I found your statement how most people in the world will never see a whale. That's true, but I never thought of that, mainly because I have seen so many of them over my life. A lot of that is because I live where I live and where I've been able to travel too. Thanks for sharing these book reviews David. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteYou are very fortunate, Erika.
DeleteI hope they will be preserved and will not disappear.
ReplyDeleteHello David
ReplyDeleteI have also never seen a whale except on TV and I probably will not see one in real life, but I know that they are extraordinary creatures. Worthy of attention and interest. That is why I read your post with pleasure.
Warmest regards.
Oh yes, dear David, we have been on 2 whale watching tours so far - the first in Monterey, the second in Iceland - on both of them we saw humpback whales - and then there were a few trips in our lives where we saw dolphins. All of these were wonderful moments of happiness. During our whale watching in Iceland I also had an extremely nice expert by my side: Henry, a German boy of 6 years who (according to his mother and grandmother) is interested in nothing in the world more than whales and sharks. And he really knew a lot about humpback whales. (The two women had made this trip just because of him!) He beamed from ear to ear and shouted "Today is the happiest day of my life!" and I shouted "Mine too!" I think Henry would love the book especially - even if he probably knows "everything" about whales...
ReplyDeleteI hope we will see whales in Canada too...
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/10/weltreise-2024-sw-usa-salt-lake-city.html
I hope that Henry becomes a fine marine biologist. It’s great to see that level of enthusiasm in youngsters. I have been on two organized whale watching tours, one from Tadoussac, Québec and the other from San Diego, California - both successful. I have also seen whales off the coast of South Africa. Whenever we visit Vancouver Island we hope for Orcas but so far have been unsuccessful.
DeleteI have a similar hope in connection with Henry!
DeleteIn South Africa (2002) we unfortunately didn't manage to go on a whale watching tour because our daughter was too light for the trip! (Safety regulations: you had to weigh over 35 kilos...) It's a shame that you didn't see any Orcas in BC. Vancouver Island is one of the places we want to visit in 2025 and hope to see whales there as part of a tour...
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/10/weltreise-2024-sw-usa-salt-lake-city.html
In South Africa I didn’t go on a whale watching tour. The whales were visible from shore. We watched from a high promontory overlooking the ocean.
DeleteHi David - those little books are so often really good - as you describe so well. While Tugce Okay's art work is extraordinary ... so talented. I was fortunate to see Orcas when I took a trip from Vancouver Island - Ocean Ecoventures, Cowichan Bay ... quite a few whales of them and lots of other sealife out in the San Juan strait and islands. Lucky you to have seen them from Quebec, San Diego and the Cape Coast, SA ... I worry about the wind farms they're putting up in our seas - disturbing the sea bed, let alone the noise all the drills make in the water. I do wish we could be wise ... sadly not so - all the best Hilary
ReplyDeleteThese little books seem excellent.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Me gusta mucho y me encantan las ballenas. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete